Disney is now the sole owner of BAMTech. This is MLB’s Advanced Media. This process started in 2016 with transactions occurring that year, in 2017, and now again this year. With this purchase, Disney has to pay MLB, who then has to split the payments among all 30 teams. This month, Disney paid MLB $900MM of the remaining sum that was left. After being split, this means that the Brewers took home $30MM courtesy of Disney.
Disney this month has paid MLB $900 million for the remaining 15% of BAMTech it didn’t already own following a series of prior deals. So when your favorite team cries poor this winter, keep in mind they’re each due another $30 million windfall from this.
— Eric Fisher (@EricFisherSBG) November 29, 2022
This essentially completes a series of transactions starting in 2016. Disney first invested $1 billion in BAMTech that year, $1.58 billion more in 2017 to gain controlling interest, and another $350 million earlier this year for the NHL’s minority stake.
— Eric Fisher (@EricFisherSBG) November 29, 2022
What will the Brewers do with an extra $30MM in their pockets thanks to Disney?
The Brewers announced earlier that upgrades to the stadium’s audio and field level seating are taking place this offseason. Those changes were made possible by the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball District board’s budget. Stadium upgrades were not made possible due to Disney’s money.
Hopefully Mark Attanasio will take this $30MM and put it towards his roster. Contract extension talks have begun with Willy Adames, so perhaps some money gets allocated there. It also would be awesome to see Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff extended.
The extra money could also go towards signing an external player. Winter Meetings are approaching and the Brewers could be looking to upgrade at third base or at catcher. Perhaps they will sign a free agent at one of these positions.
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